Hospital formulary
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Drug use patterns observed in an intensive care unit (ICU) at a large tertiary teaching hospital (Brigham & Women's Hospital [BWH], Boston) were documented and compared with patterns reported from ICUs of hospitals at two other sites. Antibiotics, analgesics, and H2 antagonists were the most frequently prescribed classes of drugs. ⋯ Pharmacy charges for ICU care at BWH were calculated with respect to total hospitalization charges and were found to account for 10% of total charges. Identifying drug use patterns in ICUs--an area of potentially high drug use, risk, and cost--provides valuable information for P & T Committees as well as for medical staff quality assurance and usage evaluation functions.